Hallmark Renews 'Cedar Cove’

Hallmark Channel will bring back its popular original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove for a third season, the network said Wednesday.

The series, based on The New York Times bestselling author’s beloved book series and starring internationally renowned actress Andie MacDowell,finished its second season. The series is produced by Ron French and Stephen Harmaty in association with Dan Wigutow. During its second season, the series avereaged 2.4 million viewers (Live +3) according to Nielsen, making it cable's most watched program on Saturdays this past summer during the 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. period.

 “Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove has captivated millions of viewers week after week with emotional, riveting and poignant stories of romance, family and friendships in an idyllic seaside town,” said Michelle Vicary, executive vice president of programming & network publicity for Crown Media Family Networks said in a statement. “It is not surprising that Cedar Cove is touching so many viewers, and we owe that success to our star Andie MacDowell and this phenomenal cast.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.